The State of the City is ....

Stockton has serious issues. Of that, there is no doubt. But not a day goes by when we can't celebrate the goodness that flows throughout our city.

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recordnet.com

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Posted May. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Posted May. 22, 2014 at 12:01 AM

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Stockton has serious issues. Of that, there is no doubt. But not a day goes by when we can't celebrate the goodness that flows throughout our city.

Today, the annual State of the City event will be held at the Port of Stockton. There no doubt will be discussion of such challenging matters as crime, the economy, education and the environment.

But it's the people - good people - who make up the essence of this city. Let's consider a few.

The Stockton Unified school is now an arts magnet school and has been named to participate in a prestigious national Turnaround Arts program. "The real excitement is this gives Stockton Unified a K-12 arts pathway from Fremont all the way through Chavez High School," SUSD arts and physical education director Cindy Wildman said.

Through all the challenges and controversies, there are people there trying to make a positive impact. Last week, a cat arrived that had been shot in the head with an arrow. The staff saved the cat, and she was named "Cupid."

Born without a left hand, the 11-year-old has become a standout baseball player at Sundown Little League. He was profiled in a story in last Sunday's Record. On Saturday, a Record editor attended one of Ari's games. Through two innings, he had a single, walk, stolen base, two runs scored and two putouts at second base. His teammates and opposing players didn't treat him any differently. Ari's is an inspiring story.

The important local non-profit's freezer failed. Almost immediately, donations started coming in from the community. A longtime Stockton business, JH Simpson Co., agreed to donate parts and labor to fix the freezer. "This is the stuff that needs to be in Forbes magazine, right here," food bank board president Matt Duaime said.

These were among the agencies that took part in a prayer walk along Wilson Way, an area that has been synonymous with prostitution for decades. They helped reach out to many, including those who had been victims of sex trafficking.

The organization blended history and the present in its continuing efforts to help beautify the city. In this instance, volunteers spruced up a park strip on Yosemite Street that in yesteryear was a Stockton trolley stop.

The business group honored a diverse cross-section of its membership with Business People of the Year awards. These honorees are dedicated not only to their own businesses but to the overall economic climate of Stockton.

So there's just a small sampling. And you know what? All of these people were profiled during a three-day stretch of articles in The Record.

Pick just about any three days and it'll be the same. There's a lot to feel good about in the state of this city.